Attractor Dynamics

Yesterday was the second session of the systemic action research training hosted by the Institute of Development Studies with some fab folk from across the GM System Changers eco system.

I listened to lots of people describe good participation and how they often knew good from their experience of the opposite. I was struck by someone who was recalling their experience of being the lone ‘lived experience’ voice on a strategic partnership. One we all know well.  Not only the level of responsibility that goes with that, but the idea that people might think that is sufficient and that power dynamics are in any way level or equal. And, how patronisingly awful and harmful it can be.

It took me back to around 1999 when I had some involvement in setting up an Early Years Development and Childcare Development Partnership with particular responsibility for supporting the one parent representative on the partnership. Unlike childminders or nurseries she didn’t have a network behind her strengthening her voice or offering counsel and wisdom. Like many others at the time she was selected for her activism in some parental area. She was known to the local authority for being a ‘good’ activist (not too challenging).  Another key point is she wasn’t invited on for her lived and often traumatic experiences.

It was really clear from our conversations, and also really clear from observation, that more of her were required at the table to level the professional power dynamic. It got me thinking at the time that there should be 3-4 of her, with wholly different views, who were supported to get to know each other so that they know they have each others backs when outnumbered by the domineering system.

I don’t know if you’ve ever been outside a system and invited in to take part? There’s power at play that we often don’t even notice never mind talk about.  Add trauma to that and you could be playing a really harmful game. There’s a real underlying pressure to become and act like the system for lots of different and deep reasons.

Whenever I see these partnership ideas put forward that don’t tilt the balance of participation towards the people with least power I also tend to assume it’s been developed by a privileged person who hasn’t experienced the feeling of powerlessness. I heard a Leader in my town talk about the partnership with volunteers in the town this week, and ‘we couldn’t do it without you’ appeared in the same sentence. Whilst I understand the words were well intentioned partnership often means bringing in more people to do what you’ve already decided, give it that rubber stamp of approval. It happens everywhere though doesn’t it, at all levels, and it led me to reflecting on two families in the community who are reluctant to go in front of the Board of Governors to appeal expulsions.  It’s the same game. Imagine the power of so many system changers revealing it at the same time! Emperors New Clothes springs to mind.

Luckily, I had a lovely story to share having just come from the first gathering of the new local community organising circle. So refreshing to see us beginning to work using small group methods and build community one conversation at a time, keeping power structures as flat as we can. It’s not going to be easy, but I feel like we’re walking into the future.  I learned a bit about complexity theory yesterday and attractor dynamics. And I thought, ah yea, that’s what we are doing here – creating something that draws people in. It was a really useful afternoon.